Cargo area LED light mod!

[kevinpt]

i think im going to mount it to the side window on one of the edges. dont know if it will be at the top of the side window or the side yet. i will see how it looks when i get it and see ho hard it is to run the wires. its one of the first modes im going to do

 

[WODWorldWide]

So dumb question, how hard do you have to pry the rear light plastic pieces off? I tried today but it felt like I would break it if any harder. Let me know if you have any advice or another link that would help better. Thanks

 

[limamike]

So dumb question, how hard do you have to pry the rear light plastic pieces off? I tried today but it felt like I would break it if any harder. Let me know if you have any advice or another link that would help better. Thanks

Which rear light plastic pieces? The lights in the rear hatch? You have to insert an object (like a flathead screwdriver) that can pry a small plastic latch/catch on either the inside or outside of the light (can't remember which side right now, but my gut is telling me inside) and simply apply some pressure in and down to get the light to come loose. They are in there pretty well, and I do remember having to use a bit more muscle than most other pieces, but the key is the hitting it from the correct side as they lock into place from only one side. If you hit it from the wrong side and really muscle into it you will definitely break the entire light housing.

 

[WODWorldWide]

Which rear light plastic pieces? The lights in the rear hatch? You have to insert an object (like a flathead screwdriver) that can pry a small plastic latch/catch on either the inside or outside of the light (can't remember which side right now, but my gut is telling me inside) and simply apply some pressure in and down to get the light to come loose. They are in there pretty well, and I do remember having to use a bit more muscle than most other pieces, but the key is the hitting it from the correct side as they lock into place from only one side. If you hit it from the wrong side and really muscle into it you will definitely break the entire light housing.

Thanks. It's definitely from the left since that's where the indention is and what it says earlier in the post. I just really need to put some muscle into it. The other ones came out so easily I thought I was going to break the rear hatch ones. Appreciate the help and I'll see what I can break back there tomorrow.

 

[Antman]

So dumb question, how hard do you have to pry the rear light plastic pieces off? I tried today but it felt like I would break it if any harder. Let me know if you have any advice or another link that would help better. Thanks

Honestly, it's way easier to just pull off the entire hatch plastic trim since you need it off anyway. Pull it out from the passenger side (you will see the slot where you start prying) and yank all the plastic pins loose. Then you can reach in there and unplug both hatch lights. Push the panel off the window channel and you have everything off.















Easy to get to those lights now.

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[4wordSOUL]

4th gen?

Anyone done a similar write up for 4th gen? Are they similar enough I could follow this and achieve the same result?

 

[4wordSOUL]

4th Gen mod

Followed the basics above, here's my result.

<a href="http://imgur.com/BQynaee"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/BQynaee.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[J053619]

Just saw this in the 4th gen section. This is amazing, great mod!

These forums are the end of my wallet lol

 

[propain]

The T4R should come with better lighting. The interior lights are too dull.
I need to get some led in the cargo area and change the rest of the interior bulbs to led. This is a much needed mod.

thnx

PS: Snooper, it would of been nice to see you add them to the other side of the cargo window, near the seatbelts as well. I will probably end up doing that.

 

[Brookey_813]

OK, I finally did this mod the right way. The LED strips are on the rear pillars and they now come on when I open the rear lift gate. They do not come on when I open any other doors to the vehicle. Here are some pics of it, but it looks SO much better in real life. After these pics I am going to break it down, so wait before commenting until you see my next post. Thanks and enjoy!
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Did you purchase the hatch LEDs at Autozone too? I want some brighter lights than the factory.

 

[bleaches]

Great write up. Might look into doing this myself

 

[eye_bex]

Great mod. IMpressed how much light you get in there, but I"m sure you aren't surprised as it looks like you did more than your homework to make it happen. Well done!

 

[teotwaki]

TAG so that I can find my way back to the thread

 

[1jzgte]

Followed the basics above, here's my result.

<a href="http://imgur.com/BQynaee"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/BQynaee.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

lol at the sunglasses

 

[chenquistador]

Placed mine under the ceiling trim of the rear windows. It was easier to fish the wire to the cargo lights from this location. 27 LEDs on each side. Used water soluble sealant(removable as opposed to silicone or caulk) to hold down the wires so they don't pull off the adhesive. Lights are visible from the outside for some flare. Toggle switch turns it off when I'm going ninja mode.

 

[steph.l.wain]

looks great, thanks for the step by step

 

[cali.runner]

I installed a 6" dome light from Superbrightleds.com.

TDLS-NW36-G: Natural White - Gray Finish

125 lumens, not crazy but draws very little and lights up the whole cargo area.

Fits really nicely on the slanted part of the headliner. Attached it with two m4 16mm bolts. No cutting, just 3 small holes.

Thanks for the write up Snooper.

 

[akidnameddre3]

very cool idea, I was just thinking the other day the standard lighting was a bit weak!

 

[emmantik]

Just thought I'd add links to other options as these don't show up as easy in a search.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/206081-my-version-interior-led-lights.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...%92s-rear-hatch-easy-affordable-lighting.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/199203-cargo-led-lighting-actually-done-right.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/86151-cargo-dome-light-install.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/197353-15-limited-cargo-light-mod.html

 

[bsa70]

You did a really good, professional job. Kudos for wiring it into the module. My problem with stuff like this is popping off modling and tracking down where to hook up...